Quality Education: The Only Way Out

Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has said that the provision of sound and quality education to students in the education sector is the only way Liberians can be taken from their present economic, social and other conditions and provides for themselves better living conditions as well as contributes to the development processes of their country.

VP Boakai said quality education is always needed, especially in country like Liberia that has come from civil crisis and is in rebuilding process. He stated the country will always be in need of young qualified Liberians who can help in its rebuilding process.

The Liberian Vice President spoke when he officially dedicated the newly constructed campus of the Leigh-Sherman Community College and the Leigh-Sherman Executive Secretarial School in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.

The new building of the school, which has its motto as, “There is no Excellence without Labor” was officially opened by VP Boakai Friday, April 25. The school had initially been located in the Fiamah Community in Sinkor, Monrovia. The college now has its own campus after over 38 years of existence.

VP Boakai said the Leigh-Sherman College since its establishment in the late 1970s, has been very instrumental in developing the capacities of young Liberians some of whom have gone out to become exceptional professionals in their areas of disciplines throughout the world.

He challenged the authorities of the school to continue their high level of academic and ethical training to their new location, indicating “Let your work over these years speak for itself as you come into this new community.”

VP Boakai lauded the founder and proprietor of the college, Madam Theresa Leigh-Sherman, who he said have for many years shown how dedicated and committed she is to the molding of the minds of the young people of her country.

“After all we have gone though individually and as a nation, she is still passionate and committed to this cause. Relocating the school to this location is another level of commitment. You have brought light to this community and its surrounding areas. Thank you for being such a good Liberian,” he said.

“Most of the people I have worked with over the years have been graduates of the Leigh-Sherman College. These have been very professional people not just in terms of qualifications competency, but also discipline. The kinds of training that she instilled in her students always go with them,”

“She always produces the best of students and I’m very proud of her. I want to thank you Theresa for helping the children of this country who we are dependent upon for the rebuilding of our nation. The provision of quality education is the only way for us to get out of our present conditions as Liberians. We hope that your hands’ works prosper,” VP Boakai added.

The proprietor of the college, Madam Theresa Leigh-Sherman, said the decision to relocate the school is as a result of the outcome of a survey that was conducted. She said survey shows that 80 percent of the students are from the out sketch of the city, particularly Paynesville and as such it is ideals for their campus to be brought close to them.

She said this will help curtail a lot of expenses that students undergo daily to get on campus. Some of the challenges have to do with the difficulties of getting a vehicle to and fro school and amount spent on transportation weekly will be reduced drastically.

Madam Leigh-Sherman noted that since its inception about 38 years ago, the college has been grounded in a vision of excellence and the new move will not be an exception.

She said, “A pioneering institution in the field of Secretarial Science, we have successfully trained and placed over five thousand administrative professionals in positions with government, public and private corporations, international organizations and the Liberia Diplomatic Corps.”

She indicated that in the years since the civil conflict, the college has emerged with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. “Our country has entered a period of tremendous revitalization and progress in which education and profession training is imperative.”

She lauded all those who contributed to the construction process of the new building. She indicated: “After 38 years of existence, Leigh-Sherman school finally has its own campus and permanent home. We are proud today that we on our own campus and our dream has come true.”

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